Most Americans Save Before Summer Road Trip

Somerville NJ, August 19th 2015 - Millions of Americans take to the roadways during the summer, and with only a few weeks remaining in the season, families are making final arrangements for their yearly jaunt to parts unknown. But before they do that, in anticipation of spending more than what’s typical, they’ll be saving up in order to have enough money to last, according to the results of a recent poll.

The average family budgets roughly $1,000 for their summer road trip, based on a newly released survey from Harris Interactive. Overall, consumers put away an estimated $221 billion altogether for summer road trip holidays.

On the typical long distance highway endeavor, gasoline, lodging, food, toll booths and entertainment are a mere handful of the expenses that road trippers spend in order to get to their intended destination. But there’s also the issue of vehicle maintenance to account for. An estimated 95% of individuals who drive by car to their summer getaway perform vehicle maintenance, Bridgestone Americas reported, spending an average of $127 on tuneup-related costs.

72% check the fluids
Nearly three-quarters of vehicle maintenance checks involve the car’s various fluids, such as windshield washer liquid, motor oil and antifreeze, the Harris Poll found. Additionally, about 70% of consumers also check their tire inflation level, and nearly 60% change the oil. Professional mechanics recommend swapping old oil out for a fresh batch every 5,000 to 6,000 miles.

Jamie Bullis, a mechanic who was recently named technician of the year by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, pointed out that these survey details are encouraging.

“It’s great to see that summer road trippers take vehicle maintenance seriously,” said Bullis. “Car and tire care is critical to getting there safely and avoiding issues along the way. And, it can help drivers save money in the long run.”

Nearly 3 in 4 handle their own automotive maintenance
Provided summer traveling Americans know what they’re doing when under the hood, performing one’s own automotive upkeep can save hundreds - if not thousands - of dollars over the course of the typical year in labor costs alone. More than 70% of consumers do their own repair and maintenance work, according to a separate poll conducted by Autotrader.

Brian Moody, editor for new and used vehicle aggregation website Autotrader, pointed out that summer maintenance is equally as crucial as the kind done when the weather turns colder, which has come to be known as “winterizing” the car. There’s something to be said for “summerizing” as well.

“Summer maintenance is just as important,” Moody noted. “Simple upkeep during the hotter months can go a long way in not only preserving the value of your vehicle, but also saving money and keeping you and your family safe on the road. The good news is that everyone can do these things themselves.”

Keep battery terminals clean
Checking the oil as well as the tire pressure are two of the more well-known maintenance tasks that most people can do on their own. But there are a few others that are just as simple, yet many fail to remember. One is checking the life of the car’s battery. The battery generally has a lifespan of approximately three years before it needs to be replaced. Autotrader suggested that one way of preserving its life and helping it stay healthy is by sprinkling the top with baking soda and then spraying the terminals with a light mist of water. Wipe it away after a few minutes. This combination helps cut into the grease that can build up, thereby avoiding car battery drain.

The intense and ultraviolet radiation can cause a vehicle’s paint job to fade. Applying some UV-protectant wax, which should be available at most big box retailers or automotive upkeep stores, can help maintain a car’s luster.

No one goes on vacation anticipating that they’ll break down, but with the average long-distance road trip in excess of 50 miles, it’s a good idea to expect the unexpected. This can be accommodated for by assembling an emergency kit. Key items to include are jumper cables, a flashlight, flares or reflective triangles, bottled water, first-aid supplies and auto insurance information.

For information and quotes on insurance coverage, please The Insurance Centers site.

Or contact Donna Bateman at 908-271-2073 for a quote.

Photo and article courtesy of Selective Insurance Group Inc